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James Gairdner

(1828-1912), Historian

Sitter in 2 portraits
James Gairdner entered the Public Record Office in London in 1846. He became assistant keeper of the Public Records in 1859, in which post he remained until his retirement in 1893. Gairdner's contributions to English history relate chiefly to the reigns of Richard III, Henry VII and Henry VIII. He wrote a number of historical works, but he is best known as an editor and collator of documents. He edited many volumes, including Letters and Papers illustrative of the Reigns of Richard III and Henry VII (1861-3), and he succeeded J. S. Brewer in editing the Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII (London, 1862-1905).

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James Gairdner

by Frank Baxter
plaster bust, 1900
NPG 2021

James Gairdner

by Frank Baxter
bronze bust, 1924, based on a work of 1900
NPG 2021a

Groups

Historians

Place

London

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James Gairdner

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